Winter 2018Give the cold shoulder to poor health this winter

From cold sores to painful arthritis and those annual afflictions, cold, flu, and stomach bugs. Winter casts an unhealthy spell, but we can take steps to ensure it is a more bearable season and make it similarly so for others.

The sniffles seem an inevitable part of life once the nights darken and the temperature drops. As the old adage goes, ‘coughs and sneezes spread diseases’, and by washing our hands, capturing a sneeze in a tissue and binning it, and keeping door handles, towels and other household items clean, we can at least minimise its impact.

The symptoms of flu often mimic those of a cold, but they are very different in severity and outcome. Flu can be a killer, especially dangerous to those who already have long-term health problems.

Flu will be categorised by muscle pain, fever and headaches. The best defence against it is the flu jab, available free from the NHS for those who have life-limiting conditions like COPD.

Stomach bugs, and in particular norovirus, can be virulent beasts during winter. Though unpleasant, the winter vomiting bug is at least mercifully short lasting just a few days, and you can aid your own quick recovery by staying rested and hydrated.

Keeping warm helps look after your heart. Cardiac arrests are more prevalent during winter because cold weather raises blood pressure making the heart work harder. Wrapping up warm and taking a brisk walk will also help stir good physical and mental health.

Speaking of the latter, the issue that concerns me most during winter is isolation. Half of the people aged over 75 in this country live alone and research shows that feeling lonely increases the risk of early death by a third. So my plea this winter is that you look in now and again on vulnerable neighbours,check their health and make sure their house is heated to 21 degrees centigrade (70 fahrenheit).

It is an absolute travesty that people perish in this country due to fuel poverty or indeed malnutrition. As the founder of a homeless-friendly programme, I am acutely aware that people die on our streets of hypothermia; so again, I say spend a moment to check and seek help if you are worried about someone’s health.

Look after yourself this winter time, but also care for others. If we all did so, we could make society amuch warmer and healthier place this winter.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Dr Chauhan is a respected GP, health and social care campaigner, and champion of social justice and charity. As a local GP, he has become a powerful advocate for his patients and introduced innovative methods to improve their care. His work mentoring and employing young people has won national recognition.